Spotting and labeling machine



1,641,045 1927' c. H. OSLU'ND ET Ag.

SPOTTING- AND LABELING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l v Q l" 5 1 s @Q E;

- 0 E N V \0 R] Charles 15. Oalund N Jbhn .E'manucC Jknaon Aug. 30, 1927. 1,641,045

C. H. OSLUND ET AL SPOTTING AND LABELING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 VVVVYY Q W DE mm m o fidenwrs R? eka'resl-f. 066142202 *1 m, JahmfrmrmueC JcTl'vnson m m Maw 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Edema C/mrCe'o If. O duna,

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C. H. OSLUND ET AL Filed Jan. 10. 1925 SPOTTING AND LABELING MACHINE Q 0 9 I I]!- E2 is iia iiz i5 ml? NW Aug. 30, 1927.

1 641,045 1927' c. H. OSLUND ET AL SPOTTING AND LABELING MACHINE Filed-Jan. 10. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I i I Z? a Q I l i 1 8. S V

l ndenwrs Charles if Odand Ja/Zn Emanuel; 176/2060 Patented Aug.-

V A I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARELES H. OSLUND AND JOHN E. JOHNSON, .OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AS- SIGNORS T 0 & J' MACHINE COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A COR- PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS. i

srorrme mm LABELING MACHINE.

Application flledl'anuary 10, 1925. Serial No. 1,700.

This invention relates to a machine for same part of the apparatus showing a single labeling polygonal bottles, cans and jars or article to be labeled in position on the infeed-- those having other than a circular shape, ing conveyor and broken'away to show the and" relates particularly to the application way the bottom of the article is formed;

5 of the labels in'a definite position on the arti- I Fi 7 is a radial sectional view on encle with respect to its corners, edges or other large scale of the rotary table for supportirregularities. a ing the articles when being labeled, showing The principal objects of the invention are the spotting means in side elevation; to provide means for locating each bottle, Fig. -8 is a plan of one of the bottles or 10 jar or can on the. labeling machine in such otherarticles showing the two lables thereon a way that a particular part or surface of in the desired position; the article to be labeled is presented to the Fig. 9 is a ,side elevation of a part of one label applying mechanism in a, central posiof the labeling devices; tion so that the labels will be applied con- Fig. 10 is an end view of one of the label 15 centrically,'or at least in exactly the same ingrdevices;

position onall the articles; also to provide ig. 11 is a fragmentary view showing means whereb alabel not entirely surroundthe position of the pickers in removing a ing the artic e can be supplied with gum label from the label holder; over the entire rear surface thereof instead Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the next 20 of applying two strips of gum separated positionwith the central picker or gumming from each other and located at the opposite device moved back; o edgcs;..to provide effective means for presS- Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the next: ing two opposite labels on a bottle or other position with the pickers and gumming article having either a cylindrical or other device drawn back; i surface and for pressing down its edges; and t Fig. 14 is a plan of a bottle on the conto provide. improvements in thedetails of veyor on enlarged scale with the two labels construction of these various devices and on it before their ends are pasted down;

means whereby. they co-operate with each Fig. 15 is a similar view of the means for other in such away as to insure the applicapasting down the ends of a label; 30 tion of labels at the desired location. Fig. 16 is a side view of the same looking Other objects and advantages of the inin the direction of the arrow 16 in Fig. 15; vention will appear-hereinafter. i and Reference is to be had to the accompany- Fig 17 is an end view of the machine with ing drawings, in which E partsin section on the line l717 of Fig. 4.

35 Fig. 1 is a. plan of the infeeding end of a ,When labels are to be applied to bottles, double labeling machine constructed in jars, cans and the like which are not circular accordance withthis invention; in cross-section, it becomes necessary to have Fig. 2 is acontinuation of the same plan the bottle or other article turned to the right to the other end of the machine but on a position when it receives the label so that 49 smaller scale; the label will be symmetrically located. on

Fig. 3 is a side view of the mechanism the bottle with respect to the angles, corners shown in Fig. 1 except the table; or irregularities which the bottle may have.

Fig.- 4 is a side view of the mechanism -This .difiiculty. does not arise when round shown in Fig. 2, except the table; bottles are being labeled or when a label is 45 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 applied that goes all the way around, but it of Figlj would spoil the appearance of the labeled Fig. 6 is a plan on an enlarged scale of the bottle the label were placed sov that one edge projected farther than the opposite edge from the adjacent angles of the bottle.

This machine is designed to provide for conveying bottles or the like into a labeling machine involving a rotary table or the like, the bottles being turned to such position by an operator just before they enter so that they will be approximately in the right place to receive the labels symmetrically on the table. The infeeding part of the machine is arranged to hold the bottles in the position in which they are placed by the operator and then a turret moves them as usual on the table. The rotary table is constructed in general like rotary tables which we have used in our previous manufacture and which are represented in our Patents #1,238,713 and #1253250. but as this machine preferably is used for applying labels to opposite sides of the bottles, or the like. we use what we call our double rotary table machine having a label picking and applying device on each side of the table located diametrically opposite each other.

Another feature of this invention consists in the provision of means by which a label can be picked off a stack of labels and supplied with gum over its entire rear surface, something that has not been possible heretofore so far as we are aware in this type of machine.

The invention also involves the feeding out of the bottles or the like on the conveyor which feeds them in and, the pressing down of the opposite edges of the two labels so that they will stick tightly on the bottle. For this purpose a pair of travelling sets of pressers are employed which come into contact with the opposite sides of the bottle and exert pressure thereon so that the projecting ends of the label will be stuck down, the bottles still being spaced on this part of the conveyor in accordance with the position in which they are spaced on the table by the spotting device mentioned.

As we prefer to use a rotary table labeling device such as we have shown in our prior patents, we will describe that first. This involves a power shaft which is driven by any suitable means not shown and is located vertically. This shaft rotates in bearings suitably located and at the top a table 21 is keyed to it. The shaft 20 has a large bevel gear 22 near the bottom. Meshing with this gear, located diametrically opposite each other, are two bevel inions or small gears on horizontal labe er shafts 24. These two shafts are shown in alignment and project oppositely from the opposite sides of the table below Also meshing with this gear 22 are two bevel pinions 25 and 26 which operate two radial shafts 27 and 28. B means of other bevel gearin including a bevel gear 29 on a vertical shaft 30 and a bevel gear 31 on ayertical shaft 32.

These two shafts 27 and 28 drive the infeed turret 33 and discharge turret 34 which are located adjacent to the edge of the rotary table 21. A conveyor 42 extending through.- out the length of the machine is driven by a gear 43 positively driven from the power shaft.

Driven by the gear 29 is a bevel gear 35 on a shaft 36 which by similar means drives a vertical shaft 37. This shaft has on the top a sprocket wheel 38 driving a chain 39 which passes over sprocket idler wheels 40, some of which are adjustable for tightening the chain. This chain runs horizontally and its links are vertical. These links are provided at intervals with concave rests 41 which constitute means for engaging the bottles B on the conveyor 42 and thus space these bottles apart on that conveyor and also keep them from turning on it and permit the operator to turn the bottles slightly without displacing them on the conveyor.

On the shaft 30 is a cam 44 which is adapted to engage and rock an arm 45 fixed to a shaft 46 as previously described in our patents. This rock shaft has an arm 47. This arm has a latch 48 which constitutes a timing device"for holding back the bottles one at a time and separating them, but the details of this timing mechanism do not constitute a part of this invention.

"The: shaft 32 has on the bottom a bevel gear 50 which operates a shaft 51 extending out at the other end of the machine and by gearng 52 rotates a vertical shaft 53 which has on the top a gear 54 operating two gears 55 so as to rotate them in the same direction. Both these gears 55 are provided with shafts 56 having sprocket wheels57 on their upper ends and they operate two chains 58 and 59 respectively. Each of these chains is pro vided at regular intervals with a block 60 having a pivot pin 61 on which is swung a press head 62. This head can be of any desired shape, but in the present case is shown as almost semi-cylindrical and having a thick lining 63 of felt. This felt is held in position by sheet metal clips 64 on the end which extend into slots in the felt at its edges and securely hold it in position. The

block 60 is provided with a pair of springs 65 that normally engage the head 62 on opposite sides of its pivot and hold it yieldingly in central position. Both the chains are provided with these devices and the chains are so constructed that two of the heads on the two chains register with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. These chains of course. are supported and tightened by wheels or sprockets 66. This part of the mechanism is provided. for the purpose of presenting the ends of the labels L into close contact with the bottle as will be observed by comparing Figs. 14 and 15.

When the bottles B are separated out on the conveyor 42 which extends the whole length of the machine and serves both as a feeding-in and delivering means, they are kept by the rests 41 in the relative positions in which the timer leaves them, but an operator sits here and turns them so that slots S in the bottoms of'all these bottles or the i like will all be located substantially parallel to each other. These slots-are formed in the bottles for the "purpose of positioning them in" the conveying machine and the operators sole duty at this pointis to place orient it.

them at a certain angle. as shown, so that all the bottles, will be in approximately'the' same position on the conveyor. As they are turned around by the feeding-in turret 33 they are ofjcourse gripped, as has been described 'in our prior patents, so that they have no chance to change their positions relative to each other and they are all delivered to the table 21 in' approximately the same position on a series of circular plates located near the circumference of the rotat-' is, it has four bevel edges. It will enter one of the slots S which have been placed approximately in proper position, as previously described, to. substantially register with it, but the function'of this spotting point it is turn the bottle slightly if neces; sary so as to bring itinto exact position, or

The bottle will turn readily ifthe point'comes' up opposite the slot S a little out of registration and the desired re sult therefore will be accomplished. As soon as the bottle is turned in this way the cam 73 acts on a lever which pulls down a rod 81 having a clamp '82 on top. This is brought down with considerable pressure on top of the bottle and holds it in its spotted position. The cam 73 extends substantially all the way around the table underneath it and holds the bottle clamped down-until it is ieady to. be delivered to the delivery turret 34'. The. cam 72, however, is located merelyat the point where the bottle is clamped down. The bottle does not need to be held furtherbythis cam because it is held bythe clamp. Therefore this cam is a. short one.

It has been stated that the two shafts 24 extend out diametrically oppositely from the table underneath. These two shafts are alike and they operate two labeling deviceswhich also are alike, one for placing a label way.

.label holder H- andv carry two on one side of the bottle and the other for placing one directly opposite. On each shaft 24 there is aeam 84 which operates a lever '85 extending upwardly and connected with a slide 86 on a horizontal rod 87 above.

This slide moves back and forth along the rod-to carry the ordinary pair of pickers .88. These pickers work'in the usual way to receive gum from the gumming arrangement, not shown, and move up, as sho in Fig. 11. Then the central 'gummer 98 draws and move back to remove the labels from the I the label back to a position over the table so that when the bottle comes around it will engage the label and remove it from the pickers in the usual I provide the shaft 24 with two cams 89 and 90 operating on two rollers located on ievers 91 and 92 and adapted to oscillate a pairofsleeve's on .a stud 93. The opposite ends of these two levers 91 and 92 are connected with links 94 and 95 which operate an arm 97 and a lever 96. The arm 97 is The fixed to the shaft 87 for oscillating it. lever 96 is free to swing and has another arm on which swinging about the shaft 87 with it, is a central gummer 98. The operation of these parts is to move the two pickers 88 with the. central gummer 98 between them into position to be gummed and then up to the label holder, as shown in Fig. 11. Then the central gummer 98 draws back, as shown'in Fig. 12. At this time the pickers 88 press against the labels with sufficient firmness so that this central gummer can be withdrawn from between their gummed surfaces and come entirely out of contact withthe label. is-manipulated by the pickers 88 and not manipulated by the gummer 98 at all which remains retracted. .The pickers are then drawn back as ,shown' in Fig. 13 and they slide along the shaft 87, asindicated by the full and dotted-line positionsin Fig. 9 to apply the label to the bottle, as is well understood. As the two rods 87 are located diametrically opposite in alignment with each other, the rotation of the table and the operation of the parts just described will result in placing labels on the opposite sides of the bottles. These labels will be spaced accurately on account of the spotting of'the bottle that has been described and if the' bottle is of polygonal or irregular shape they lUO Thereafter the label Y will project over thehangles of the bottle equal distances on both sides. I

of operation. y a It will be understood that the bottles B are placed on the conveyor 42 at the extreme left hand end either by hand or by' machinery and allowed to accumulate behind the timer 48. This timer acts to let one bottle at a time past it at regular intervals Rio so that they will be placed substantially equally apart on the conveyor. The rest-s 41 come around and move the bottle forward or back a little and hold them spaced exactly equal distances apart until they are taken up by the feed turret 33. An operator stands just at the left of this turret and turns each bottle around far enough in one direction or the other so that the slots S all come substantially parallel with each other. This she can do conveniently because the rests enable her to turn the bottles and they keep them at the same distance apart without estimating any distance.

The bottles are moved around by the turret of course with the slots S located in a certain relation to the turret and therefore they are delivered on the table 21 all with the slots in the same position, or at least approximately so. Now; having been placed on one of the plates the first movement that takes place after this, is the projection of the spotting point 78 into the slot S and the slight turning of the bottle with its ball bearing plate so as to insure the bottle being in exactly the right position. Now, the clamp 80 comes down on the bottle and the spotting point is withdrawn by the spring 76. lVith the bottle held in that position it goes through the first labeling mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and receives a label on one side. It then goes around just 180 degrees and receives a label on the other side, and exactly in the opposite position, by the labeling mechanism shown in Fig. 2 and passes along to the discharge turret 34. During all this time the bottle has been held clamped down on the table. Now it is released and the discharge turret carries it around and deposits it again on the conveyor 4-2. Here the bottle passes along until it is engaged by one of the press heads 62 on the chain 58 which tends to hold it in the right position but anoperator sits here and whenever necessary adjusts the bottle so that one of the labels is comprised within the area of the felt 63 on that side. Then as the bottle passes along its opposite side.

is engaged by the opposite press head on the chain 59 and the edges of the two labels are pressed down from the position shown in Fig. l t to that shown in Fig. 15. Then the bottles are discharged over the end ol the emma gular surfaces and means whereby the two labels are placed exactly oppositely on the bottles.

Although we have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention we are aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore we do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what we do claim is 1. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor for conveying the articles to be labeled, label applying mechanism located adjacent to the conveyor, means for taking the articles from the conveyor and depositing them on the label applying mechanism, of an endless chain arranged to move at the same rate as the conveyor and located adjacent thereto at one side and provided with a'series of rests thereon adapted to project over the conveyor throughout a material part of the length thereof and each having a depressed surface in a single are for receiving one of the articles to be labeled and holding them in spaced relation as they pass along the conveyor, and to permit an operator to turn the articles to be labeled so that they will all be located in the same position, without interfering with the proper spacing of the articles on the conveyor.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor for feeding articles to be labeled, a rotary table located adjacent thereto in position for receiving the articles from the conveyor, carrying them around,

and then depositing them back on said conveyor, and means movable alon side the conveyor or near the intake end tiereof for locating the articles to be labeled and movable along with the conveyor to hold the articles in the position in which they'are located and properly spaced apart, of an endless chain at the delivery end of the conveyor movable along with the conveyor at the same speed and located at the side and provided wi h press heads arranged to engage the side of a labeled article and press down the label against the article.

3. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless chain conveyor extending throughout the length of the machine, a rotary table adjacent to the conveyor, means for taking articles from the conveyor and placing them on the table, means for there after taking them from the table and placing them on the same conveyor, and means associated with the table for applying labels on opposite sides of each article, of an ndless chain located at the intake and of the conveyor and having a. strand parallel with the conveyor and provided with concave rests spaced apart and projecting ov (be conveyor for properly locatin and spacing the articles to be labeled, and 3, pair of endless chains located' at the delivery end of the;

conveyor, each having a strandlparallel with the conveyor and located on opposite sides thereof, both of said endless chains having press heads thereon for engaging the opposite sides of an article to be labeled and pressing down the. edges of opposite labels thereon, the press heads on the two'endless chains being located opposite each other and movable at the same rate as the conveyor to provide for sticking'down the labels.

4. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless chain conveyor, of an endless chain located at the intake endof the conveyor and having a strand parallel with the conveyor and provided with concave rests spaced apart and projecting over the conveyor for properly locating and spacing the articles to be labeled, and a pair of endless chains located at the delivery end of the conveyor, each having a strand parallel with the conveyor and located on opposite sides thereof, both of said endless chains having press heads thereon located opposite each other and movable at the same rate as the conveyor to provide for sticking down the labels.

5. Ina labeling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor for feeding bottles or the like having a locating slot, means located at the side thereof and timed with respect thereto for spacing the bottles accurately and uniformly along the conveyor, so that they can be turned by an, o erator to locate all the slots in substantia ly the right positionwithout interfering with their proper spacing, of a turret arranged to take the articles from the conveyor, and keep them in the position in which they were set on the conveyor, a labeling device in position to receive the articles from the turret, and means on the labeling device for engaging in the slots in the bottles and causing the bottles to turn so that each one will be,

located accurately in the same position.

6. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor for feeding bottles ranged to take the articles from the conveyor, a rotary table in position to receive the articles from the turret, means onrthe rotarytable for engaging in the slots in the bottom of the bottles and causing the bottles to turn so that each one will be located in the same position on the table, and means for clamping down the bottles'when they have been turned.

7. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary table for carrying bottles is deposited on the table, and means for clamping down each bottle after it has been located by the plunger.

8. In a labeling machine, the combination with a table, of a series of plates mounted to rotate freely on their own axes thereon for receiving bottles having radial slots in their bottoms, a vertical plunger under the path of said plates, the plunger having slanting sides and edges at its top, whereby when forced up into the slot in the bottom of the bottle it will cause the bottle to be turned so that the slot will be parallel with the long dimension of the top' of the plunger, and means located under the table for raising the plunger periodically as the plates pass a certain position for the purpose of orienting the bottlesat that point:

9. In a labeling machine, the combination with a rotary table, of a series of plates mounted to rotate on their own axes thereon for receiving bottles having radial slots in their bottoms, a vertical plunger under the path of said lates, the plunger having slanting sides an edges, whereby when forced u into the slot in the bottom of a bottle it wil cause the bottle to be turned so that the slot will be parallel with the long dimension of down in its fixed position on the table portion of the circumference throughout a of the table.

10. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary table for carrying the bottles to be labeled throughjzhe labeling mechanism, said bottleshaving slots arranged at the center and extending radially, of plungers under said table having a chisel-shaped upper end for engaging in the slots and slightly. turning the bottles if they are not received exactly'in the right position, means foroperating each lunger when the table reaches a position w ere a bottle is to be deposited on it, means for clamping down each bottle after it has been located by the plun er, a pair of label applying devices 10- cate on said table at diametrically opposite points, and means whereby as the bottles pass the label applying devices, first one and then the second label will be applied to the (ill bottle on opposite sides thereof and at a certain definite position with respect to the slot in the bottom of the bottle.

11. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary table for carrying the bottles to be labeled through the labeling mechanism, said bottles having slots arranged at the center and extendingradially, of plungers under said table, having a chisel-shaped upper end for engaging in the slots and slightly turning the bottles if they are not received in exactly the right position, means for operating each of said plungers when it reaches a position where a bottle is to be deposited on the table, means for clamping down each bottle after it has been located by the plunger, an endless conveyor, means for discharging the bottles from the table on the endless conveyor, and means extending along the conveyor and movable therewith for pressing down of the labels on the bottles while they move on the conveyor.

12. In a labeling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor, of endless chains located at the delivery end of the conveyor, each having a strand parallel with the conveyor and located on opposite sides thereof, both of said endless chains having press heads thereon, for engaging the opposite sides of an article to be labeled and pressing down the opposite labels thereon, the press heads on the two endless chains being located opposite each other and movable at the same rate as the conveyor to provide for sticking down the edges of the labels.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination with a rotary table for receiving bottles having radial slots in their bottoms, a vertical plunger under the table having slanting sides and edges at its upper end, whereby when forced up into the slot in the bottom of the bottle it will cause the bottle to be turned so that the slot will be parallel with the long dimension of the top of the plunger, means located under the table for raising the plunger periodically as the bottles pass that position for the purpose of orienting the bottles at that point, yielding means ,for then withdrawing the plunger, and means for holding the bottle down in its fixed position on the table throughout a portion of thecircnmference of the table, of a label applying device located adjacent to said table in position to'apply a label to the bottle at a definitepoint with respect to the slot in the bottom of the bottle, a shaft for operating the label applying device, a pair of pickers movable radially with respect to the table and adapted to swing about a horizontal axis into position to pick a label from a pile, said pickers being spaced apart and adapted to receive gum on their surfaces, a supplementary gunnning device located to swing on the same arzis as the pickers and movable beteeaeaa tween them for receiving gum and also engaging the labels to aplplygum thereto over the surface between t e pickers, and means for withdrawing said supplementary gum-. ming device while the pickers are in their original position in contact with the labels.

14. In a labeling machine, the combination with a table, of a label applying device located adjacent to said table in position to apply a. label to the bottle, a shaft for operating the label applying device, a pair of pickers movable radially with respect to the table and adapted to swin about a horizontal axis into position to 1310]! a label from a pile, said pickers being spaced apart and adapted to'receive gum on their surfaces, a supplementary gumming device located to swing on the same axis as the pick ers and movable between them for receiving gum and also engaging the labels to apply gum thereto over the surface between the pickers, and means for withdrawing said supplementary gumming device while the pickers are in their original position in con tact with the labels.

15. In a labeling machine, the combination with a label holder for supporting a pack of labels, of a rod adjacent thereto, a pair of pickers, means for moving the pickers periodically along the rod, means for then swinging the pickers onthe center of said rod as an axis into a position to engage a label on the end of said holder, a supple, mentary gumming device pivoted to swing on the same rod, means for swinging the supplementary gnmming device into a position to receive gum with the pickers and to engage the label on the end of the pack, means for then swinging the said su plementary gumming device back and forth and swinging the pickers back with the label, and means for sliding the pickers and the label along the rod into position to apply the label as desired.

16. The method of spotting and labeling articles which consists in. providing articles to be labeled with identically shaped and located slots in their bottoms, placing the articles in equally spaced relationship on a moving surface, turning the articles while on said surface so that the slots are similarly located, feeding them to a labeling machine while maintaining them in such relation to each other that the slots will all be located,

said surface so that the slots are similarly located, feeding them to a labeling machine, and finally turning them on the machine to exactly the same relative positions thereon.

18. The method of labeling bottles which 5 consists in locating them all accurately in the same position on a rotary table, placing two labels on them at diametrically opposite points around the table so that the labels are accurately oppositely located on each article, and thereafter pressing down the 10 edges of both labels simultaneously.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto affixed our signatures.

CHARLES H. OSLUND. JOHN E. JOHNSON. 

